March 23, 2026 1 min read
From Paperwork to Performance: Strengthening Work-Based Learning at Mercer County Technical Schools
Industry:
Solution:
The Challenge
Mercer County Technical Schools (MCTS) in Pennington, New Jersey, delivers hands-on Career and Technical Education (CTE) across two campuses, providing programs with 14 pathways and over 60 employer partners.
When Troy Long, Director of CTE and Grants Administration, took on his role, much of the work-based learning process relied on paper-based documentation. Collecting signatures from students, parents, and employer partners could take months, limiting time for site visits, mentorship, and employer engagement. Manual reporting also made compliance with funding requirements more time-consuming.
The Choice
To improve workflow efficiency, MCTS uses the Vector Pathways work-based learning platform to centralize documentation and provide visibility into student placements and compliance. The platform supports coordinators in managing forms and tracking progress, allowing more time for student support and employer engagement.
The Change
- Centralized Documentation and Compliance: digital tracking has reduced administrative follow-up and accelerated form completion.
- Expanded Coordinator Engagement: Coordinators now spend more time in the field building relationships with
employer partners and overseeing student placements. - Improved Transparency for Students and Families: Students and parents can monitor progress throughout their work-based learning experiences.
- Data-Driven Oversight: Centralized reporting enables district leadership to manage compliance and generate end-of-year reports efficiently.
“Now coordinators can go out four or five days a week to visit employers and do site visits instead of doing paperwork.”
“The students think it’s easier. The parents think it’s easier. I can click on any student’s record and see where their status is for everything throughout their WBL experience.”
Troy Long
Director of CTE and Grants Administration
About Vector Solutions
Vector Solutions’ Work-Based Learning Platform, Vector Pathways, enables schools, districts, and CTE centers to create more effective work-based learning experiences for students through streamlined workflows, business partner engagement, and experience tracking. Our Vector Pathways platform leverages powerful tools to increase the effectiveness of your WBL program by:
- Enhancing & Streamlining Business Partnerships
- Tracking WBL Program Metrics & Data to Drive Decisions
- Simplifying & Digitizing WBL Programs
- Increasing Student Engagement & Demonstrating Career Readiness
Request a Demo
The Vector Pathways work-based learning platform enables schools, districts, and CTE centers to create more work-based learning experiences for students through streamlined workflows, business partner engagement, and experience tracking.
Request a Demo
